A PROMISE

"I CURSE YOU TO BE LEFT DESTROYED!

MAY YOUR LIFE GETS HELL!

MAY YOUR HUSBAND BEAT YOU UP EVERYDAY!"

 

A loud smack sound echoes in a house. Door gets opened, a lady walking out of a room with her red head, tying her top knot bun. The door gets shut. Behind the door, a girl lying down on the floor crying out of pain with fingers printed over her face terribly. Gets up washing her wounds, patching it and starts writing her dairy in which every unspoken verses of her life were inked.

 

Date: 19th Oct 2020,

Place: Hyderabad.

"I feel like it's winter today,

Coz it's hurting so hard today,

As if there's no tomorrow today,

The night is as same ever dark today,

But wounds are much greener today,

Anyway! Don't worry! I am alive today,

Coz I promised to stay with you today,

Survive this immense brutality today."

Your love,

Sophia Brooke.

 

Few years back in March 2017...

Sophia Brooke, a medical student lives at Hyderabad. Her hobbies include handicrafts, sketching, music, books, design etc... Sophia lives with her father, an elder sister at Banjara Hills. The family is going through a financial fall and her father's unfitness is an addition to it despite of her mom's absence. But everything was in peace. 

One fine day, there's a knock on their door. Sophia gets up from her fair project leaving it aside walks out of her room and opens the door.

"Surprise!" screams the couple.

It was her dad brought back her mom home. Everyone was fine with the dad's decision. But Sophia was quite a bit not OK with it. She reacted as if accepting whatever she is given.

Whenever Sophia watches her, she gets the past memories ruining her present mood leading her to get away from them, goes back to her room alone locking it up. 

Everything was going well. They were mingled with each other except Sophia Brooke. Later on, some night after dinner, her father knocked the Sophia's door. She opened it and he asked for a walk with him. He took her to a nearby open playground sitting down under the dark sky with full of gleaming stars and a full radiated moon. They started talking

"How was the pasta dear? Wasn't it too good than usual?" father asked curiously.

"Very bad and disgusting!" Sophia screamed.

"Why are you so angry beta? What's your problem with her?" father asked.

"The problem? Seriously? How could you do this dad? Sophia delivered.

"What did I do now?" father asked.

"Don't you remember how she made our life hell in our very childhood itself? What made you bring her back dad? I agree we are in a bad phase, but it doesn't mean we make it worst" Sophia made her statement.

"I understand your concern sweetheart, but she is not the same wicked body anymore. She is very much fine and better as flower than before", her father persuaded.

"What's the matter dad? why are you so down these days?" Sophia asked in perturbation.

After a series of questions, "It's your akka's marriage am worried about!" father screamed.

Both gets quiet for few minutes, leading to a tight hug to her father. Eyes were dripping wet. Sophia took out her hanky wiping out her big man's face.

"OK! I'll let her to mingle, but it doesn't mean that I'll be the next one to tie knots after akka", Sophia in humour.

"Don't worry! you've a lot of time like 1 year", father jokes.

Sophia makes a no-dad face sharing giggles and they leaves to home.

It was Sunday morning, an alarm ding-dong frequently. Mr. Joseph Brooke knocks and finds the door unlocked, stepping inside waking her up.

"Princess! It’s a mid-day and you're still asleep? Wake up and have food!" he affirmed.

"OMG! How could I sleep so long?" waking up Sophia uttered.

Took shower and she sat for lunch. Her mom welcomed her on the table with her favourite fish fries which leads to a beautiful twinkling smile on Sophia's face. They started talking since then. Days were getting good. The time was tick-toking melodies in their lives. Everything was so sought out including their financial arena as Mr. Brooke earned much profit in his last investment in market stocks.

One day at College, a phone buzzes up and picked by Sophia answering it resulted in rug swept out from under her feet. She started running out of the college, takes a bus and rushes to the home. When she reached home a whole portion of her bedroom is turned into flames. Watching it broke her down. Most of her albums, books, attires, blankets were totally burnt. Sophia tries to rush into the room but her sister stops her from it as the flames were very dense.

"Snowyyyyyyyyy!" Sophia screamed with tears rolling down.

Snowy was her meow. Only paw which she used to share everything with. Sophia used to spend most of the time with Snowy. 

Mr. Brooke arrived with fire brigade cooling down the spot. But couldn't help in saving much memories. Half of her vibes were turned into dirt easing her out of mind stroking heart repeatedly. 

 

December 2017,

It’s been months, still Sophia wasn't out of Snowy's demise. She started staying quiet. Words were getting into whispers. Her father and sister tried everything to help her out in stabling mentally. But things were gone out of limitations. She had pretty quite panic attacks, nightmares displaying herself getting burnt in her room. Inspite of all these processes, Sophia started studying for her semester examinations in a motive to fulfill her promise of getting top in class. Preparation was done deep and exams started.

Sophia on her seat waiting for the paper's arrival. In a flash, she got hit by a paper plane, which gradually landed into her bun as if it’s the target point. Turning her head in annoyance, Sophia stared at the guy for a moment.

"Sorry! It was a mistake. Hope it didn't hurt you bad", he apologized.

After staring for few minutes, she looks off from him. The guy felt confused about her behaviour. He started looking for her every day during exams, library, playground, canteen. Noticing her character, behaviour for a while. He thought of a friendship with her and the suitable moment arrived.

It was their last day of semester. After their paper completion, he popped out to her.

"Hello Sophia! How are you doing?" he initiated.

"Fine. What about you?" she replied.

"Am good. How was your exam?" he asked.

"It went well. Yours?" she stated.

"Yup! good good!" he replied in apprehension.

It felt like an awkward situation to him and he started moving saying,

"OK! I'll push off myself, getting late".

"OK! See you" Sophia delivered.

They started moving back to their homes. After walking away few metres Sophia screamed

"Bye the way, what did you say your name?"

"I didn't say any yet" he screamed back.

They started giggling out for a moment.

"It's Sam Cooper!" he screamed again.

"OK Sammy!" she conveyed.

Days were getting good. They started hanging out on weekends covertly. Watching movies, evenings at malls, nights at restaurants, morning walks etc... had become a type of appetite to them. Gazing stars, counting them under a specified spot and resultant number of stars as their lucky number declaring the winner were their plays. Spending Saturdays at play stations right before the dinner and the winner would pay the bill has become a daily routine.

Things were going so beautiful and it became so tough for them to live with one's absence for a single day or half. 

It was Christmas Eve, Sophia invited Sam to her house for a dinner night with her family. It was quite an hour late and Sam didn't show up yet. Sophia in her room trying Sam's phone while she is dressing up in a beautiful white gown like a Snow white.

"Hey Sammy! Where are you? Everyone is looking for you here" Sophia on call.

"Am right outside your home, just parked my car" Sam stated.

Sophia runs down the stairs to welcome Sammy, opens door and there he is in well-dressed black suit with neatly groomed hair and a lil mesmerizing scent from him. Sophia stares for a minute or two with her mouth open.

"Well! Hello Queen! Can I slip in?" Sam conveyed.

"There he come, the star boy", Mr. Brooke welcomes Sam and offers him to the table. They start dining with lots of talks regarding their family, studies and goals.

"He's so handsome and charming" Sophia's sister teasing her a side.

At the end when Sam is about to leave, Mr. Brookes be like

"Sophia beta! Take our guest to the door"

Both Sophia and Sam start walking out, thanking each other for their beautiful night. After reaching to the car, Sam's holding Sophia's hand makes her blush to pink face.

"Close your eyes!" Sam delivered.

"Why?" Sophia asked.

"Just do it as I say"

"OK! now?"

"Head up your face to sky"

"But why?"

"Just do it! Trust me"

"OK! now?" 

"Now open them"

There were many shooting stars over sky illuminating her face so beautifully as if She is God's favourite child. Gazing those stars made her busy for minute or two. After few minutes, she looked for him and he was there down on knees with a chocolate box and a blue rose bookey which were her favourite flora.

"Since I've got conscious, I never had anyone as amazing as you. Never shared goosebumps when someone is around. You are my cup of tea. Would you like to share the rest of your trips around the sun with me?" Sam expressed with a smile.

"I love you" Sophia hugs him so tight with tears rolling down.

"I love you too" Sam holds her comforting.

It was a full moon illuminating their faces, while they start smooching. Sam unties her bun rolling fingers into her hairs while locking her lips. Sharing goosebumps all over their skins. He holds her face looking into her eyes for a period of time sinking into emotions. Thus, the life of Sophia turned to a very different mode from a disturbed scene.

Later that night...

Sophia comes to bed comforting herself out of the gown, wearing her loose pyjamas. Locking the door, she opens the chocolate box after setting up the flowers on her desk which is right beside the head of the bed. Eating chips of the chocolates, she opens the desk and takes out her personal dairy and starts penning down that day's visuals. The matter ends up with some beautiful lines saying

"The heart beats pumping faster,

As if sitting on roller coaster,

Butterflies in the tummy,

Now no more thoughts with less worry,

Laughing while penning this thinking of my dear,

Now none seems more near than him so clear."

Everything was running so soft and delicate, there comes a day shatters her into million parts. One day, when Sophia was enjoying lunch with Sammy, her phone rings up. Sophia answers it. The phone says her father fell off suddenly while gardening and is admitted to hospital. She rushes to the hospital asks her sister in tensed manner.

"What happened akka? How is dad?"

"Calm down Sophi, he's fine now" sister eases her.

The nurse comes out of the room saying

"Who's Sophia?"

"It's me, sister!"

"Alright! Patient wants to meet you? But don't stress him out."

"OK mam" Sophia replied.

Stepping into room, Sophia starts crying more and leaning her head over her father's heart. Her father comforting her saying

"It's OK beta! Am fine now" while moving his hand over her head.

"You were doing good this morning when I left for classes. And now I see this" She utters with tears.

"Calm down dear. It's just due to sun, I fell unconscious. I am fine now" Mr. Brookes consoling his daughter. 

"Are you sure daddy?"

"Yeah, pretty sure as my daughter's strength. We'll be home soon".

And then the doctor enters in asking Sophia, a talk for a while. Both leaves the patient rest for an hour or two. Doctor asks Sophia to come into his cabin and they start talking about her father's condition.

"What happened, doctor? Is everything fine?"

Doctor remains silent for a while thinking how to use words for description. Which was an add-on to her strain and tensity. After reasoning for a while, he takes out an envelope containing her father's reports. Sophia grabs it, opens it and reading it leads her to remain in a bolt from the blue. The report says that he has symptoms of cancer.

"Very few months are left" doctor stated.

"Nooooo! It can't be true. You're lying" Sophia breaks down crying.

Few weeks later...

One cold evening, Sammy appears at a park halting Sophia

"Heyyyyy! Where were you these many days?"

"I was lil bit occupied".

"Occupied? Seriously? I called you nearly 30-40 times".

"Am sorry! I don't use my phone much".

"Is everything fine?"

"Yes" in a low tone.

"I mean, you know, you can share things with me" Sammy solaces.

Then Sophia takes a deep breath and starts talking

"Look! If I ask you for a promise, will you keep it?"

"Yeah. Ofcourse! I mean it depends on the promise you gonna make".

Sophia explains everything about her father's condition. She ends the conversation asking a promise from him. The promise comprises of

"I don't wanna leave my father in this condition."

"What do you mean by that?"

"OK look! the promise is that you will marry someone better than me, I can't make it to you. I wanna be with my dad till his end. I wanna take care of him verily. Please don't wait for me and spoil your life. You could achieve your dreams and goals. I have faith in you. I know you gonna be the most successful man ever. Please leave me, I don’t wanna be a thorn on the path of your bright future".

Saying this Sophia starts walking away and Sammy stops her saying

"OK then! You promised to be with your dad till his last breath and made me promise to marry someone better than you. Alright then! Good Bye".

Both gets dispersed and doesn't show up to each other again. Days were passing in miseries and Mr. Brookes's health is getting worse and critical. He stopped talking and his energy is oozing out and slowing he halted walking. 

After a week...

One morning, Sophia wakes up coughing and finds out there is a smoke spread all over the room. She jumps out of the bed and rushes out. And what she saw outside the room made her remain blue. It was her mom standing with a kerosene box leading the fire spread.

"What are you doing? Are you out of your mind?" Sophia screamed.

Mrs. Brookes turns to her and shares an evil smile. Watching that, Sophia gets frozen.

"Wait, What?! That means..." Sophia uttered.

"Yes dear! It was me who set your room on fire. I tried to burn you. Luckily you survived. I let your stupid pet die into that dense flames. I killed Snowy. I destroyed all your things, memories, everything" Mrs. Brookes exhales a venom.

"But why? What made you do so?"

"What made me do so? It's your stupidity! You people are so selfish that you brought me just to bless your sister at wedding hall? You people brought me just to escape from people's taunt"

"We forgave you! We thought you might have changed. We thought we could picturize a perfect family" Sophia in tears.

"Hell no! How could you even think of that after leaving me and staying away from me for 7 years?"

"It was because you made our life hell! we probably could've survived with your laziness and hatred towards us growth. You never supported us when we were listening such taunts from your parents’ home. You never wanna adjust with us in anyway."

"Alright! I don't wanna do it in anyway neither at present nor in future. Am here to destroy you all. Anyway, your father is of no use to me. He is already so sick. Now I can make you my lil slave sweety. Hahahaha!

The problem with the fate is that no matter how many times you call out to her, she has her own timing that's irrelevant to whatever anyone else happens to be doing. After every storm, a sun will smile. Keeping this in mind we need to stay alive in patience. That's what Sophia did in her story.

She bears all those brutalities, pain, scars, blood for many months. It's like she got habituated to her fate for eternity. Only purpose of her livelihood is all about taking care of her father.

Present time...

Her wounds start paining miserably. Sophia closes the dairy, puts back into the drawer. Changes the bandage strips and then climbs up and sits near the window watching the sun. The winter sun hits differently when it smiles after a very cold night. Literally, it was like healing her wounds deliberately.

It's been 6 months; her father has shifted to London for treatment after getting the elder daughter married to a doctor living at Cape Town. Mrs. Brookes cunningly held hostage Sophia and used her as a slave bringing her away from the city to a village somewhere near Visakhapatnam. There wasn't pretty much contact between them for a long time.

And all these sufferings and loneliness made Sophia so weak and feeble. She used to spend her nights gazing stars and moon through the window. It reminds her of Sammy. There were million ways to say that she misses him and none of them were enough to express how much she wishes him to be there with her.

An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties. It means that it's going to launch you into something great. All we need is patience and hope for better. And Sophia had mastered in it.

Few days later... 

It was November 1st, 10:00 am. A phone beeps with a notification saying

"Check out this wonderful performance by Samooke, voice of hearts. Click on the below link and join us in the live session...." 

Click-bit takes place. The video starts buffering but before that a food ad pops up leading Sophia to annoyance. Throws phone on the bed leaving it played and goes to drink water. The water is being poured and the glass is touching her lips allowing water to dive into her halting the thirst leaving her throat with an immense satisfaction. 

A voice waves into her ear which drops her jaw off. It's travelling from the phone destined to her heart. She starts checking her skin getting warm goosebumps which tends her getting astonished. The glass falls out from her hand and makes a smash sound. She moves slowly towards the phone with her vibrating skin. Water starts flowing through her eyelids making all her face wet. Storming in her mind and stops operating.

There's a guy in black suit with his muscular body. He has got dark shiny, long and straight hair reaching the shoulders. He started singing. His voice was an intimate as the rustle of sheets. The sound of his voice was making her reminds that world can be a safe place. There was a magic in his throat like it's a Euphoric bliss.

It was Sammy. The performance comes to an end. An enthusiastic applause circulating around massively. People were cheering in large numbers with loud noises echoing all over the auditorium. Sammy grabs the hand mike after clearing up the stage. Watching such a huge crowd cheering him, he smiles and take the mike closer to lips and utters

"Ssssssshhhh."

The audience calms down to solitude silence. It was like an empty ground. She strained to hear something, anything, but there was only silence. After few minutes of tranquillity,

"Let me tell you a small story. My story. There is this girl more like a moon, grown beautifully like a jasmine flora. She is strong and soft by heart. See, when I said she's like a moon I meant it. She shimmered my life so charming way that I gained confidence, power, modesty. We fell in love to eternity. It was our fate or God's decision; I rarely know why we ended up at separation. But the moments I spent with her were so countable than any. My hands were not that too long to gift her stars from the sky. But still I could've tried reaching them JUST... JUST for HER. Remember, love that doesn't include honesty doesn't deserve to be called love."

An anchor asked him, "Is there any message you wanna convey to her?"

"She made me promise that I should marry someone better. Here I am standing failed. I didn't find anyone better. In fact, not even close to her. I promised to be with her in her smiles and tears, but I failed in keeping it. And there are lot more I promised but ended up breaking them."

"I go to our favourite spot every night, spends there till sun smiles, waiting for her. And I would continue going there till I find her. I have a hope which is far greater than my any success. And this hope will not let me down. Even if she doesn't come to me in this life, am gonna wait for her ever till end."

Listening this, Sophia starts crying out loud till her top gets wet for an hour or two. She gets up in hurry, changing her top, rinsing face and gets out of her room towards outside.

"And where do you think, you're going miss?" Mrs. Brooke with anger.

"I want him back. He's waiting for me every day" Sophia in low tone.

"Oh, that so called star boy!"

"Please let me go. I can't live without him"

Sophia continues pleading. After a minute of many requests, Mrs. Brookes turns red

"Shut up! Just return to your room right now! You're not going anywhere. Am not gonna leave you till end."

Shouting at her, Mrs. Brookes raises her hand. Sophia closes her eyes with fear. But there's no hurt to her. She opens her eyes and watches Mrs. Brooke can't drop her hand down. When she turns back, it was her father standing behind the cruelty stopping it from dangering the daughter.

"Daddy!" Sophia with happy tears in eyes.

"Go beta! It's time" Mr. Brookes utters.

Mr. Brookes pushes his wife to a side away from his daughter and heartens Sophia to go.

"Here, catch!" father to her daughter.

It's his car key.

Sophia rushes out with drops into the car, accelerating and drives off to Hyderabad to their favourite spot which was LB Stadium. She reached there by evening. Secretly jumping into the ground and started searching for Sammy. It was a cloudy weather melts at length into beauty and the brightest smiles of the heart are born of its tears. It looks like even clouds were emotional to their meet. Drops were reaching grass cooling down tensity spread over hearts.

Suddenly, she feels like someone hit her. When she turned around it was a paper ball.

"Sorry! it was a mistake" Sammy with giggles.

Sophia jumps over him, hugs so tight so that there's not even an inch of space between them. Starts crying more "I love you" with tears making more impact on his shirt than the water from clouds.

"I love you too."

"Remember! I said once that no matter what, I'll be back to you. I agree I broke many promises. But at the end of the day, I wanna say that this "promise never meant to be broken".